**Twentyman:** What makes [Brian Branch](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/brian-branch/) so good is how instinctive a player he is. He has a nose for the football, and the Lions could use a lot more of that in the back end of their defense.
Branch's return is not just about upgrading the safety position; it's about making everyone around him better. As I mentioned above, players are currently in the wrong place at the wrong time too often. That creates a lack of trust.
Some of Detroit's lapses in zone defense are due to slow reaction and undisciplined eyes among the safety group. Branch's instincts and knowledge of the scheme could be a solution to some of those problems. That should help [Jack Campbell](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/jack-campbell/) and the linebackers play better and have a ripple effect across the entire back seven on defense.
I also should mention it's unfair to expect Branch to be 100 percent back to his old self right away, even though defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said Thursday he looked great in Wednesday's practice. That's encouraging, but Branch is coming off a major injury and took his first live reps in 10 months on Wednesday. He'll need some time to kick off the rust, but even if we get 75 or 80 percent of Branch, it's an upgrade that should help this defense.